Sitting Volleyball Rules

I. Governing Rules

The rules of the World ParaVolley Official Sitting Volleyball will apply in all cases except where a special Oregon State University Intramurals rule applies. Sitting volleyball rules are similar to standard volleyball rules with the exceptions of court size and bodily contact with the floor.

II. Eligibility

  • All participants must be either students registered at Oregon State University or Faculty/Staff/Affiliate with a Recreational Sports Membership. For more information on eligibility, consult the Intramurals Handbook.
  • No more than two club volleyball players per team are allowed.
  • No individual who is on a roster of a varsity intercollegiate squad (including red-shirts) or who is on athletic scholarship (at OSU or an institution of comparable athletic stature) at the time of a regularly scheduled intercollegiate contest, or who joins those teams after the start of the intramural season, may play on an intramural team in that sport or related sport for the remainder of that year plus one full academic year.
  • Persons practicing or working out with the team who are not on the official roster will be governed by OSU Sport Club Members participation rules.

III. Uniforms/Equipment

  • No jewelry (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.) is allowed on the court at any time. Players must remove items immediately or leave the game. Appropriate athletic attire is required.
  • Participants must wear a shirt. Tank tops and cut-off T-shirts are acceptable. Athletic pants/shorts are also required.
  • No shoes that leave black or scuff marks, boots, or sandals are permitted on the court. Athletic, closed-toe shoes must be worn if play occurs indoors.
  • No braces, casts, guards, or supports that may cause other players harm are permitted.
  • Teams must provide their own game ball. Volleyballs may be checked out from Equipment Issue in the Dixon Recreation Center.

IV. Pre-Event

  • All participants must bring their ID card to play.
  • Team managers must check in with the supervisor on duty before each game.
  • Team managers must meet with the officials 5 minutes prior to game time if it is the first game of the tournament they are participating in.

V. Event Structure

  • Game time listed on the schedule is the official game time.
  • You must have four (4) players on the court ready for play at game time; otherwise a forfeit will be awarded to the opposing team.
  • There are six (6) players on the court during the game. Substitutes may be made in between plays by notifying the official.
  • There will be three sets per match. The first two sets will be played to 25 points (win by 2) and cap at 30 points. The third set will be played to 15 points (win by 2) and cap at 17 points.
  • During play, participants must be in contact with the ground with part of their body between the buttocks and the shoulders. Participants may not kneel or raise their bodies during play.
  • Contrary to standard volleyball rules, a serve can be blocked.
  • One-handed placement or redirection of the ball with the fingers (a “dink” or “open-hand tip”) is a fault. The ball must be hit cleanly with the hand, straight locked fingers, or a fist.
  • Contact with the net is a fault if contact is made during the action of playing the ball or if it interferes with play.
  • Each team is allowed one 30-second time-out per game.
  • Game over: At the completion of the game, each manager must sign the score sheets.

VI. Conduct

The Intramurals program promotes positive sportsmanship at all contests and activities. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes actions which are unbecoming to an ethical, fair, and honorable individual. It consists of acts of deceit, disrespect, or vulgarity and includes taunting.

VII. Ejections

Any player ejected from a game will be immediately suspended from participating in all Intramurals activities. The ejected player must then make an appointment with the Coordinator of Intramurals and Sports Coordinator to determine the length of suspension and any other sanctions. The following actions can result in ejections from Intramurals Volleyball Doubles:

  • Improper language
  • Unsporting conduct

Contact: Sport Programs Office, (541) 737-4083, 111 Dixon Recreation Center
Revised: 5/3/2023